“I think that the best thing we can do for our children is to allow them to do things for themselves, allow them to be strong, allow them to experience life on their own terms, allow them to take the subway… let them be better people, let them believe more in themselves.”

Forget to worry

Here comes the Friday.

Please take me out from this cage

Sunshine and air I must breath.

Don’t be grumpy my master

Let’s be happy this coming break.

When I saw this kid playing on the ground, I smiled with delight. I watched them till the game was over. It was good to see children enjoying the freedom of their time and hearing the ordinary laughter from them.

I was in the generation that stays in the street to play all kinds of games, roam around with rented bicycle, record songs on the cassettes, watch movies on VHS and appreciates small, black and white TV screen.

I had a great time back when everything was so simple and just hated the noon time NAP.

At present, I pity those kids who can’t be able to connect without using the social network and lacking of personal interaction, who never experience the real fun behind the wide screen of expensive PlayStation and Xbox, those who have never covered their faces with dirt and sweat. I feel sympathy for those who will only remember their childhood as a mere shadow of growing than joy and pleasure.

Who’s to be blamed then?

To the parents who thought that setting rules, conditions and guidelines will make their children look disciplined and controlled?

Who became lost in nostalgia and wanted their kids to accomplish what they have not achieved, then sheltered them only in the four corners?

To the parents who are more involved in career than their children’s emotional needs, tend to drown them with materials consolation?

Parents who don’t want to disturb by their children, raised them by TV set, electronics & gadgets and continuously disconnected to peers?

Are we the worst generation parents ever?

Let’s give our children space to find their spot in our society. Allow them to make a childhood bruises and blunders. Let them have their “own” success and failures. Help them to identify who they are. Loose them a little, but not too much.

I saw him doing his daily work. Did he ever whine about it? feeling tedium? or maybe feeling grateful because he can be able to provide food and other necessities to his family? Is he thinking when he will stop working and live his life at ease? Is he hoping that one day he will be free from obligation and adversity? and just be happy normally?

I am whining, feeling boring, but thankful. I am thinking and hoping too.

How far you have to go?

In life, you need to let go of many things, at different points of time. You need to realize that life never stops and comes to a halt. It is extremely difficult to do so, but one has to do it repeatedly at different levels, since life calls upon us to do so.

You cannot think about the future or the new happenings in life, if you continue clinging to the old. Ron Taffel had once remarked, “Even as kids reach adolescence, they need more than ever for us to watch over them. Adolescence is not about letting go. It’s about hanging on during a very bumpy ride.”

When relationships or friendship turns sour or any one amongst one’s near and dear ones passes away, we face extreme difficult in letting go such things. Fond memories that leave an indelible impression on our minds are difficult to let go.

Let it go when you’re hurting too much, give up when love isn’t enough, and move on when things aren’t like before. Surely there is something better awaiting to happen.”

I remember you,
Remember not
All the things you haven’t done,
Without hesitation
Without care
All out from my mind.

I remember you, Remember notBecause of my fleeting heartYou are saved from this light.

“Set during the Philippine-American war (1898), Heneral Luna follows the life of one of Philippine history’s most brilliant military men, General Antonio Luna, as he tries to lead his countrymen against colonial masters new and old, and to rise above their own raging disputes to fulfill the promise of the Philippine Revolution.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The movie is based on the story of our National Hero Antonio Luna, a Filipino General who wasn’t afraid to fight for the sake of Inang Bayan’s real independence, set in the war between Americans & Filipinos. The movie showed some common truths about the futility of politics too, that has been passed on from generation to generation. The rest, as the story goes, is history.

“Business or Freedom? Country or Self? Choose!”

A question from General Luna when he tried to stop the greediness for leading a plan to prioritize the state of the nation rather than negotiating for better profit.

“Brothers, we have an enemy bigger than the Americans: OURSELVES.”

“That freedom cannot be won by protecting their love ones.”

Indeed, to protect your love ones, you must protect your country first.

“General Luna was killed and suffered over 30 wounds from bolos, bayonets and bullets. A lesser man would have died instantly from half of his wounds, but the general was able to stagger out of the building, cursing his murderers, before falling lifeless on the church patio.”

“Manila, June 13. [7.35 p.m.]— General Luna, lieutenant commander of the Filipino army, has been assassinated by order of Emilio Aguinaldo (Officially recognized as the First President of the Philippines.)

“Antonio Luna was ready to die for his country from the onset. He knew what was at stake. He gave up a life of comfort and complacency to fight for his country’s freedom. General Luna was a loving and loyal son to Inang Bayan and he expected that same love and dedication from each Filipino. Why? Because he knew that’s the only way for the Philippines to be free.” – Is it time to have another leader like Heneral Luna?

One day, I will be FREE.

I am not a big complainer. I can tolerate small mistakes, I can forgive petty misunderstanding and I can make your life easier, except for one thing: don’t ever disturb me in my sleep. I would hate you for life.

I am not a morning person at all. It’s always been my problem & challenge to become one. I am struggling to be vigorous every working day because I have no choice, but I’m always alive at night time; doing everything I have supposed to do in the day time. So during the weekend, I just sleep till afternoon and move my ass when 6:00pm starts, and on weekdays, I mandated myself to sleep early as possible & settled the timing for 8 hours a day.

With this kind of characters, I am quite choosy for my roommate to be. I have only one condition: She must know the word silence (of course at sleeping time only). Fortunately, I have the best roommate now; she had never disturbed me at all!

But this is not the story. The thing is, I found myself complaining more lately to my landlord about these people around me because they disturb my sleeping pattern and which I think their actions cannot be tolerated too.

Complained #1. Those people next door who were frequently noisy, disrespectful & vulgar after 10pm. We have an in-house rule to “keep silence” after that time on working days. I grumbled them because I didn’t force myself to sleep early just to be disturbed!

Complained #2. Someone occupied my “bathing” schedule. I knocked her twice in the bathroom and never greeted & smiled at her at all. I didn’t wake up early just for her to waste my time!

Complained #3. Somebody used my Microwave without asking my permission & left it dirty. Call me selfish, but I didn’t buy it to share with everyone without my consent, how come they can buy beer & make up, but cannot afford a warmer that cost only AED 200.00/USD 55.00? I bought it so that I can just warm my food after my goodnight sleep and not to have a nightmare!

Complained #4. They must have thought my fridge is for common use. It was so annoying when I eagerly opened my fridge to get something I want & found it nowhere. The thief took my juice! Lost & found please!

Complained #5. One of the person from next door asked us if we will have a visitor on Thursday night because we need to be “quite” so she can sleep early for her event on the next day (Friday). What?? Is she crazy? We have an in-house rule to be “free” during Thursday night since weekend is next. I didn’t sleep early for five days just to corrupt my weekend!

“People have forgotten this truth,” the fox said. “But you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Responsibility. Big word.

I started to become responsible when I have my son in my life. Though I was quiver for a while, and took me a little way to escape, but still I was able to play the track again.

Before my husband left us for another woman, I became a full time wife. Though I didn’t enjoy it and came to a point of hating it, later I realized it was a good job after all. Taking care of your kids full time has always been a privilege for us mothers. It was a happy, hard, boring moments in my life, but I always feel grateful whenever I think about it.

When my marriage failed, I was left alone with my hand’s full of responsibility; our son, our credit card bills & jobless! as if I was doomed to carry all the hardship in life without a taste of readiness. I was afraid to wake up in the morning because I don’t know what to do, where to start & how could I go on. I even tried to think it’s better to die then, but when I saw my son’s face sleeping peacefully beside me, I had woken up from my selfish deeds. Yes, I have to be responsible forever for what I have tamed, responsible for my son’s life.

Responsibility, big word, It is.

Because of that, I was able to pick up the pieces of myself one by one, slowly but considerably. I went through this kind of rebellion; school, drinking, work, drinking, boyfriends, and I treated my son as my last priority.

I always came home from work late and drunk. In that usual occasion, my Parents reprimanded me by locking all the doors and not wanting me to go inside. I even pee outside on our porch and vomited several times. I was such a difficult person at that time. Then one night, I went home bombed with alcohol, I was calling my Mother to open the door for me, unexpectedly, my son did. I was startled, so I stand straight, not wanting him to see my drunken face and asked him why he still awake. With sluggish and innocent look, he replied without hesitations; “’I’m afraid you couldn’t get in since grandma doesn’t want to open the door for you.”

I have believed since that night, I became his responsibility and he should be my top priority. I could no longer endure my pointless disposition, I almost forgot there was someone who always waited for me to come home, my little rose, my son, my responsibility.

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.

Blogs I Follow

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images, videos, quotes & stories posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is any of those have mentioned appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail (annsantos08@yahoo.com) to said and it will be promptly removed. THANK YOU.

Hello, My name is Ann and I am originally from the Philippines, but currently working in Dubai, UAE.
I am without an experience of creative writing but just liked to express my thoughts and feelings, which emanates from the journey of my life.
WRITE THEM ALL is a way to look back on my life and know that I laughed, loved, hated, spoiled and savored each and every moment.
So I take every chance and let me share it with you.